Will YOU be successful at learning English?
From my experience as an English teacher, I can see that there are a few important habits that make the difference between a successful English learner and one who gives up before becoming fluent.
If you can apply these 6 habits to your English study, you'll be one of the successful learners!
#1 - Successful English learners immediately say and use new words
My student asked: "Teacher, what is the white vegetable that when you cut it, you cry?"
"Onion," I replied.
"Onion, onion, onion," said my student. "I don't like onion in my salad. I prefer only lettuce and tomato."
The best way to learn new English vocabulary - REALLY learn it, so that you don't forget it - is to use the new words yourself. Many successful students, when they learn a new word, immediately repeat it several times out loud to practice the pronunciation. Then, they use it in a sentence as soon as possible.
This technique will help you remember words much better than simply studying a vocabulary list. Why? Because it is active, whereas just looking at a list of words and definitions is passive. When you say the word aloud, you are using the muscles of your mouth, lips, and tongue to pronounce the word as well as training your ear to hear and recognize the word. When you put it in a sentence, you are actively using your mind to put the word in context.
#2 - Successful English learners find creative ways to practice English daily
I once had two students, a husband and wife who both had very demanding jobs. They only had class with me once a week, and they often had to miss it because of working overtime. However, one day I noticed that their listening and speaking was improving fast, even though they had missed many classes.
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"Have you two been studying English a lot outside of class?" I asked.
"Well, not exactly," they said. "But we've been listening to English podcasts in the car."
This couple spends an average of two hours driving to and from work - so that's two hours of English listening practice, without studying more, taking extra classes, or changing their schedule.
Most adult English student have a lot of commitments and don't have much time to "study more" - but successful students find creative ways to practice English in daily life.
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#3 - Successful English learners speak as often as possible
Many students are shy about speaking English and afraid of making mistakes - but successful English learners conquer this fear and speak as much as possible, which helps them reach fluency much faster. It's important to develop the habit of speaking from the earliest levels - even if you are a beginner!
If it's not necessary for you to use English in work or at school, then get another student from your English class and make an agreement to have a 10-minute conversation in English every day. If you don't have anyone at all to speak English with, then talk to yourself! It may seem silly, but it's actually valuable practice physically (training your pronunciation), mentally (you'll develop your ability to think in English), and emotionally (you'll build your confidence).
#4 - Successful English learners are curious
http://www2.tku.edu.tw/~tacx/html/userinfo.php?uid=1806161 http://jpkc.njmu.edu.cn/bbs/home.php?mod=space&uid=197088 https://ciwckan.chpc.utah.edu/dataset/best-rc-drones http://csgrid.org/csg/team_display.php?teamid=21558 http://blogs.chicagobooth.edu/profiles/jakeanders27?webtag=booth1profile&userId=2003310356 http://sudoku.nctu.edu.tw/sudoku/view_profile.php?userid=836376 http://www.nhommua.edu.vn/members/jakeanders27.2976/ http://www.nafdac.gov.ng/?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=895910 https://vue-forums.uit.tufts.edu/user/profile/356825.page http://dittest.onu.edu.ua/index.php/component/k2/itemlist/user/317The students who learn English the fastest are the ones who actively invest in their learning. They don't just sit and wait for the teacher to tell them everything - instead, they ask questions and search for answers about things they don't know.
If you see a word you don't understand, look it up in the dictionary.
If you hear a new slang expression in a movie, research it on the internet.
If you can't figure something out by yourself, ask on an English forum or e-mail me!
When you look for - and find - the answer to something you were curious about, not only is it memorable, but it's also very satisfying!
#5 - Successful English students persevere
"Persevere" means to keep doing something for a long time, continuing despite difficulties and obstacles.Learning how to speak English fluently requires a lot of time and effort. Unsuccessful students get frustrated easily and stop studying English - but then when they start again later, it's even more difficult because they've forgotten what they learned before.
Successful learners understand that speaking English is a process, and they are willing to continue for months and years until they reach their goal of English fluency.
#6 - Successful English learners have a goal
What can help you persevere?
A goal.
Some of my students dream of traveling around the world. Others want to live and work in an English-speaking country. Others absolutely need English to advance in their careers. Still others would really like to completely understand English music and movies without subtitles. And other students just love the English language, and their goal is to speak it fluently.
It's really important to know WHY you are learning English. Write down your main English goal (or goals, if you have more than one) and post it on your wall or your computer desktop. This will help remind you that every day, every class, every minute spent studying English is bringing you one step closer to your goal!
